Maurice Denis studied at the Académie Julian under J. Lefebvre
and continued his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts. He was
influenced by Paul Gaugain and with Paul Sérusies he formed
the Nabis movement, a group that wanted to renew art. Denis
was better known for his art theories than for his paintings.
In 1890 he published "Manifesto of Symbolism" (1890).

His
travels to Italy (1895, 1897) inspired him to create religious
art. He decorated the Church of Sainte-Croix in Vésinet (1899-1903).
In 1913 he painted the ceilings at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées.
He also decorated the Church of St. Paul in Geneva and the Dome
of the Petit Palais in Paris. From 1936 until 1939 he painted
panels for the Palais des Nations in Geneva. He was a teacher
at the Académie Julian where A.P. Gütersloh was among his students.